Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder secondary to service-connected epididymitis, but remanded the issues of sleep apnea and rating of epididymitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened and granted. The claims for service connection for pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, upper respiratory condition (including sinusitis), pulmonary condition (including emphysema, COPD, and chronic airway obstruction not elsewhere classified), sleep apnea, heart condition, and gastrointestinal condition have been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his obstructive sleep apnea is inadequate. The case is therefore being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ratings for hernias and hearing loss, as well as claims for peripheral neuropathy of the right arm with numbness, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, and tinea versicolor. The issues are being remanded due to a lack of an SOC, need for additional development, and inextricably intertwined TDIU claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea and whether it is secondary to PTSD. The Veteran needs further examination and evidence collection.

The Board has denied service connection for high cholesterol and remanded the issue of service connection for neurosarcoidosis, to include as secondary to service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support staged initial ratings in excess of 10 percent from June 12, 2008 through February 16, 2009 and 40 percent from February 17, 2009 through December 31, 2010. The Veteran's appeal for a staged initial rating in excess of 10 percent from January 1, 2011 through February 1, 2017 was also denied.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and headaches are denied.,A rating in excess of 50 percent for headaches is denied. From May 13, 2017, a TDIU is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a new medical opinion. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed again.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding no evidence that the condition arose in service or was related to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of a current diagnosis and no in-service incident or injury linked to the condition. The cervical strain and lumbar strain claims were remanded for additional development, including an addendum opinion on the Veteran's reported pain history and lay statements from his commanding officer and fellow soldier. The varicella zoster claim was also remanded for a medical examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not that the in-service varicella zoster condition relates to the current manifestations of the disorder.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for various conditions due to the appellant's representative withdrawing the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology. Service connection is not granted as there is no medical opinion linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea have been rated at 50% each, resulting in a combined rating of 70%. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's sleep disorder, including OSA and insomnia, is caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus. The VA must obtain missing treatment records and schedule a medical examination for the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are denied. The claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his service-connected conditions and his death.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions are inadequate and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disorder.